The Student-Athlete Leadership Forum is an annual educational opportunity for student-athletes exhibiting leadership and positive influence on campus and within the community. The NCAA created the Leadership Forum in 1997 as an opportunity to provide a platform for student-athletes to network and return to campus with invaluable leadership skills.

Three Conference Carolinas student-athletes along with an administrator from the Conference are selected annually by the Conference office to attend the Leadership Forum. Conference Carolinas Officer Amelia Maher will attend as an administrator.
Pitts, a sophomore from Chesnee, S.C., is a middle blocker on the Converse women's volleyball team.

"Conference Carolinas, thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend the Leadership Forum and open the door to a long-lasting culture of effective leadership at Converse College,” said Pitts. "I am encouraged by my athletic director, coach, and teammates to return with invaluable skills and tools that will lend to the growth of our campus community. I am humbled and extremely grateful for this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others."
Woods, a junior from Gastonia, N.C., is a defender on the Lees-McRae men's soccer team. He's been named to the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll twice in his career, while recently being named to the 2017 Conference Carolinas Men's Soccer Academic All-Conference team.

On the uniqueness of attending the NCAA Leadership Forum, Woods said, "This unique networking opportunity will allow me to hear about the experiences of others and share my own, which is why I am so honored to be attending. I have heard many great things about the Forum and I am very excited about being able to grow and expand my leadership qualities and strengths even further by interacting with student-athletes from across the nation. I am truly thankful to Lees-McRae and Conference Carolinas for this extraordinary opportunity to attend this event."
Lopez, a sophomore from Glendale, Ariz., is a member of the Mount Olive men's cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field teams. He's a four-time Conference Carolinas champion, winning titles in Men's Cross Country (2016, 2017), Indoor Track & Field (2016-17) and Outdoor Track & Field (2017).

Lopez showed gratitude for the opportunity to continue his pursuit of becoming a better leader and human being, "Being selected to represent Conference Carolinas, the University of Mount Olive, my team and my family at the Leadership Forum is a remarkable accomplishment. I am beyond elated and thankful for this valuable experience that will give me the knowledge to impact my team, my school and the community."